10 Lebanese Salad and Side Dishes Celebrate Fresh Produce

Lebanese Radish Salad

"The simple combination of peppery radishes, toasted walnuts, and fresh mint is satisfying and somehow greater than the sum of its parts," says nicholio, the recipe submitter. "Inspired by an appetizer I enjoyed once at a Lebanese restaurant in Atlanta, it is prettiest when served immediately and tastes great with roasted meats and hearty grain salads. If you have leftovers, try tucking them into toasted pitas with a little goat cheese or feta."

Fattoush

This light Lebanese salad is a big favorite, with a snappy lemon and white wine vinegar dressing and crunchy fried pita chips for delightful texture.

Tabbouleh III

This simple bulgur salad is "light and flavorful and chock full of veggies that you can pull from your garden, like tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onions," says KITKATY. "Add lots of parsley and mint and a nice splash of olive oil and lemon juice and that's it. Chill before serving to bring out the flavors."

Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini (Coosa/Koosa)

Zucchini are stuffed with chopped top round steak and rice and simmered in a simple tomato sauce. "Holy smokes, this is truly Lebanese comfort food!" says Russ Neimy. "Serve these with tabbouleh, fatayer, and stuffed grape leaves."

Authentic Lebanese Fattoush

Another great summer salad! "This authentic Lebanese salad recipe uses two unusual ingredients: sumac and purslane," says George, who submitted the recipe. "Sumac, usually sold ground, is ground red berries and used in Middle Eastern, particularly Lebanese, cooking. Purslane is succulent with a lemony flavor, and makes a nice salad green. I find them at farmer's markets."

Fried Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

You'll simply fry cauliflower florets until golden brown and serve with a simple sauce of tahini, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice. "This is a Lebanese dish that my mother's side of the family had at every get together and it was always the first thing gone!" says BonBonChihuahuas.

Lebanese Bean Salad

Fava beans, chickpeas, and white beans combine with lemon juice and parsley. "Quick, easy, and tasty," says slave2satan. "Can be used as a side dish or a snack on it's own. Great as a salad topper. Good with sea salt kettle chips, or toast."

Cilantro and Garlic Potatoes

You'll fry cubed potatoes until golden brown and then quickly finish them in a skillet with cilantro, garlic, cumin, lemon juice and salt. "A yummy Lebanese way of serving potatoes," says LEBANESE, who submitted the recipe. "These go great with chicken or meat."

Lebanese Lemon Salad Dressing

"Tangy, zesty, garlicky lemon and olive oil flavors blend in this dressing that compliments salads that include some type of grilled chicken, shrimp, or fish and baked or fried pita chips in the place of croutons," says Laura, the recipe submitter. "It is very tangy but absolutely yummy."

Green Beans in Seasoned Tomato Sauce

Green beans simmer with cinnamon-spiced crushed tomatoes and sautéed garlic and onion. This simple side is a variation on the Lebanese dish loubieh bel zeit. "You can add lamb or ground beef as well," says Courtney. "But we keep this vegetarian typically. I serve it over rice and vermicelli pilaf. So delicious!"

• Check out our complete collection of Lebanese Recipes.

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